Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger, Norway
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vaagen-modf.jpg
Author: Odd Inge Worsøe
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Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway. Located in Rogaland county, it covers 71 sq km (27.4 sq mi) and has a population of 126,000.

Stavanger is really a city built by petroleum. Although there is evidence of human habitation in the area going back to the Viking Age (around the 8th century), Stavanger remained a small fishing village, where the people worked as fishermen dependent on fishing for sardines, until the 2nd half of the 20th century, when oil was discovered in the North Sea. Since then, it has become the Petroleum Capital of Norway.

Stavanger Old Town, Norway
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stavanger_%28quartier_traditionnel%29.JPG
Author: Florian Pépellin
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The earliest mention of Stavanger was in AD 872. It became a market town by the 12th century. In its early days, it was a religious center, particularly after the Stavanger Cathedral was built in 1100. However its role as a center for the Roman Catholic faith was extinguished with the Protestant Reformation in 1536.

By the late 19th and early 20th century, Stavanger prospered on the fishing and shipbuilding industries. The canning of fish, particularly sardines, became big business here, and can still be glimpsed from the museum devoted to the industry in Stavanger today. However, by the mid 20th century, the cannery business was in decline, just in time as petroleum provided a new lifeline for the town.

St Petri Church, Stavanger
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sankt_Petri_church2.JPG
Author: Helge Høifødt
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Visiting Stavanger

Stavanger is just 20 minutes from Sola Airport (SVG), which receives flights from London Heathrow, Glasgow, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Aberdeen, Warsaw, Gdańsk, and Berlin, among others. From the airport, you can take the shuttle bus to downtown Stavanger.

Alternatively, you can also take the train from Oslo. However, the journey will consume 9 hours.

Sights & Attractions in Stavanger

Domkirken (Cathedral Church of Stavanger)
Imposing Romanesque cathedral dating to around 1100. It is dedicated to St Swithun, who was bishop of Winchester, England, where the first bishop of Stavanger came from.
Gamle Stavanger
The old town of Stavanger located to the west and southwest of Vågen Harbor. The area has well-preserved whitewashed houses built in the 19th century.
Norsk Hermetikkmuseum (Norwegian Canning Museum)
Located in Gamle Stavanger, this museum is housed in an old cannery. It provides a glimpse into the canning industry that supported the town in the 1920s.
Norsk Oljemuseum (Norwegian Petroleum Museum)
Museum providing a look into the Norwegian oil and gas industry of the North Sea.
Stavanger Museum
Museum showcasing the extensive collection of artifacts in the Rogaland county of Norway.
Stavanger Sjøfartsmuseum (Stavanger Maritime Museum)
Museum showcasing different types of vessels including the oldest sailing ship still in use (in between use, it is displayed here).
Valbergtårnet (Valberg Tower)
A lookout tower on Valberget hill, used to alert for fires. Today it doubles as a view tower, with scenic views of the town.

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